PM Modi is against MPs deciding their own salary hike, say reports

India's Members of Parliament want a hike in their salary. However, they might have hit a roadblock in the form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. The Prime Minister is said to be against this practice in principle, DNAreported.

File photo of Prime Minister Modi.

A joint parliamentary committee on salaries and allowances, headed by Gorakhpur MP and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath, recommended raising the salary of MPs from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, while also increasing the constituency allowance and secretarial allowance from Rs 45,000 to Rs 90,000. It also recommended raising the pension from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000, the report added.

The Parliamentary affairs ministry examines such matters. It has taken note of the recommendations, which may be finalised only after the ongoing budget session, DNA quoted ministry sources as saying.

"The Prime Minister has said in the past that the decision on increase in salary of MPs should be linked to the hike in pay of certain posts (say that of the Cabinet secretary or President and vice president). MPs should not decide their own salaries and allowances,"The Economic Times quoted a senior minister as saying.

Many MPs feel that the salary they draw is meagre when compared to the expenses they incur. This is the main reason why they feel the need for a pay hike, The Economic Times reported.

The last salary hike took place in 2010, when Meira Kumar was the speaker of the Lok Sabha. Back then, the salaries of MPs was hiked from Rs 16,000 to Rs 50,000, which was a three-fold rise, The Hindu said.